Another top pitching prospect for the Tampa Bay Rays will undergo Tommy John surgery, as Anthony Banda is set to go under the knife.
The 2018 campaign has been a rough one for the Tampa Bay Rays top pitching prospects. Before the season even started, both Brent Honeywell and Jose De Leon were sidelined due to Tommy John surgery, putting them out of action until sometime around the mid point of 2019.
At least the Rays will get those players back next year. On Monday, it was learned that yet another top pitching prospect, Anthony Banda, is going to need to undergo Tommy John surgery as well. This time, the procedure will likely sideline the prospect until the beginning of the 2020 campaign.
BREAKING: #Rays LHP Anthony Banda headed for Tommy John elbow surgery. Likely out until 2020. Acquired from #Dbacks as key piece in Souza trade. Pitched in 3 games for #Rays, had been with AAA @DurhamBulls
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) June 4, 2018
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This loss is a tremendous blow to the Rays. Banda had been solid in his three outings in Tampa Bay, allowing only six runs on 12 hits and three walks in his 14.2 innings, striking out ten batters. He was also quite solid in Durham this season, with a 3.64 ERA, issuing 18 walks with 49 strikeouts in his 42 innings in AAA.
Losing Banda also takes away from the Rays already thin pitching depth. While Nathan Eovaldi has returned from the disabled list, Chris Archer underwent an MRI due to his groin tightness. Jake Faria has been placed on the disabled list with an oblique injury, and is not eligible to return until August at the earliest. Yonny Chirinos, who earned a spot in the rotation after being a part of the bullpen day, has a flexor strain in his forearm, and may return in the middle of June.
Despite his limited time in the majors, Banda could have emerged as a key piece for the Rays over the next few months. As it stands, the Rays rotation is now Blake Snell, Eovaldi, and what? Sergio Romo? Vidal Nuno? Matt Andriese? Sergio Romo thrice? That lack of depth could be a major problem as the Rays look to stay on the verge of contention.
Yet another Tampa Bay Rays prospect is set to undergo Tommy John surgery, as Anthony Banda is going under the knife. It is another blow for a pitching staff that is already hurting in terms of depth.